Troops in Iraq?

Question

The Army cannot sustain the current level of troops (about 170,000 now) in Iraq past the spring of 2008, even Generals Patraeus and Casey say this. What do war supporters think we should do? Convicted felons are already getting waivers to allow them in the Army because the Army is so desparate for bodies. How much more should we expect from our troops? 18 months tours are now being talked about!

US Air Force, '82-'86

Answer 1

I served in Vietnam and recently in Iraq. The parallels are striking. Back then, war hawks said that we only need a few more troops and a little more time to win. That went on for 10 years! After 58,000 casualities, we finally ended a war that too many proud but short-sighted individuals refused to admit we could not win. Same for Iraq. To think that we can take on the entire Middle East indefinitely is foolish. Or perhaps the end-goal is not to bring freedom to Iraqis, as our president has suggested, but to make a few US corporations richer. If you think that is a worthy goal, then at least your logic is clear. Feel free to donate your life and limbs for Haliburton.

Otherwise we should get rid of this anti-democratic administration, admit to the world that we made a huge mistake, try to enlist the support of other nations to prevent chaos in Iraq, and hope Iraq does not become a Shite annex of Iran. As disgusting as that may sound, ignoring the inevitable will only cost more American lives. Don't forget, it is our president who got us into this on a lie. If the foreign troops landed in Maine and were moving south, we'd all take up arms. Look around. We are already running out of citizens foolish enough to join because this was a loosing cause from the start. How many more bodies do you want to throw at it when the outcome will inevitable be the same? Even the Al-Maliki government wants us out so he can start the process of building a coalition t hat includes influence from Iran. Are 170,000 troops in Iraq for a flash in the pan of history supposed to change the entire make-up of t he region? 170,000 is about the population of a medium size city in California. How could anyone think one medium size city could dictate the future of California? In fact, the American public, the Iraqi administration, and a survey of troops returning from Iraq think we should pull out. Meanwhile, the insurgency is growing.

By the way, can anyone else propose a solution that will guarantee success? All I hear is "hope against hope" that somehow things will get better with just a few more troops and a little more time. Vietnam all over again.

Support the Troops! Bring them home!

Answer 2

Need more foriegn troops there and better Iraqi troops to bear the brunt, You can't leave the country how it is , Al Quadia will have a new Base and a serious amount of oil revenue if the Allies leave. would cause more problems in the long run.
The media mesess it all up for the west. the conflict would be over by now if the Allies where left to their own devices.
the current rules of war only even up the sides they do nothing to finish it thats all caused by public opion from non military personel.

Answer 3

First off as someone that has been there, it helps out the morale when you know that your own country is behind. It also helps when your own media reports all the positive things your doing out there. Beleive me it hurts when guys like Harry Reid say we already lost the war, he should be tried for treason, it sends the wrong message to the troops, and makes our enemy stronger. If the enemy knows that the morale and our elected officals are caving in there gonna get bolder and stronger and up the amount attacks, with more road side bombings, suicide bombs, etc. because they feel the more violence they spead the weaker we will and break our will.

Military tactics, since your well schooled HIPPIE in military tactics. We made mistakes in the begining no doubt, it's a differant kind of war and we underestimated the Terror cells in Iraq. We would drive them out, annd keep pushing and not leave a proper security force behind while we were pushing forward, as we were pushing forward and on the offensive the terrorists just pulled a 180 and moved back in while we were gone. The troop surge is putting a stop to that since we can maintain a proper security force and establish 360 degrees of security.

Also it's tough out there, in the begining since we weren't sure who was friend or foe, the enemy doesn't dress in Military uniform they dress in plain street clothes and our own ROE'S hurt us in the begining.

Since you been there hippie I know you know all in Military tactics and the Iraq people, but news flash at the end of the day the good people of Iraq who have been ruled savagely by Saddam, want us to finish the job or at the very least make it place where they finally have some sort of civilized society.

Those sanctions were placed by the U..N. on Iraq when Saddam decide to invade his neighbor we call that the Gulf War, Saddam also broke 17 U.N Laws for 17 years, and not using profits from oil to feed his people. Get your fac ts straight, and Clinton bombed him in 98 during operation desert fox with the same intell Bush had WHEN WE WENT TO WAR
I am taking about a civilzed society were you don't have to worry about that the leader of your Country is gonna MUSTARD gass you like Saddam did, Also a civilzed leader who doesn't kill you if you speak out against the GOV, think about it pot head, your on here everyday spitting Anti-Bush, Anti-U.S. crap on this site all day long, now I ask you, if you were an Iraq under Saddam rule would you be able to do that, NO you would be dead. Also Saddam straved his people, bruttally murdered them. I got more examples if you need them.

Now if the terrorists drive us out and win and gain a whole country like they had in Afgan do you think there gonna treat the people of Iraq kindly, or rule with fear, and kill those who oppose them, just like the taliban did in Afagan,

Answer 4

First, as a nation, have no business in Iraq.
Another question is, the Pentagon has 2,2 Million employees, and another 200,000 private support troops, why is 170,000 such a problem, where is everybody?

Answer 5

I think if the war keeps on a keepin' on then they will enlist a draft, which will cause an uprise even more amongst Americans and the war will finally end with the many many protests.

Answer 6

Les Français vont aider l'Amérique en Iraq bientôt.

Answer 7

Luke 24.47-49

Answer 8

This illegal immoral war must be stopped! The troops need to come home now!

Answer 9

I think you should join and offer to run the show, or shut up. Your choice.

Answer 10

i think we should do what patreaus says.